Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Photo Placemats

Muslin fabric comes cheap at Wal-Mart and it is versatile so it often becomes my fabric of choice for pillows and other home decor. In this case, I chose muslin for some new dining table place mats.

I have a place mat pattern that measures 18 x 13 1/2. I cut out 8 pieces in this size to make four place mats.

The next thing I did was get out my stash of photo album inserts. I have several packs that were free when I was teaching. I have so many just stacked in the basement. My brain has been working to figure out a way to put these photo pages to good use, other than what they were intended for.

I cut out 4 rectangles that fit a 4 x 6 photo. I sewed one of these onto 4 different pieces of muslin in the bottom left hand corner. I sewed 3 sides and left one open in order to insert a photo.


Next, I got out this ribbon that comes already ruffled at Hobby Lobby. I rolled it around and flattened it creating a flower that I was happy with and pinned it together. I then hand stitched the flower to the top left corner of the photo insert.


My next step was to cut out 4 pieces of batting for each place mat. I then put the 2 pieces of muslin right sides together. I added the piece of batting to the back and pinned them all together.

I took the layered pieces to the sewing machine and stitched on all sides leaving an opening in the bottom middle for flipping. I snipped off each corner and flipped them right side out.


I folded in the opening and ironed it down so it would be ready to sew. I changed the thread to black, which if I had it to do over again, I would have also used black thread to sew on the photo insert. Oh, well.

I sewed all 4 sides completely on the outside to close up the opening at the bottom and finish it all up.


My final step was to insert a current favorite photo into each place mat. I now had myself 4 photo place mats for our dining table...


They are simple and personal, just the way I like things in my home...


I'm sure the photos will be changed often. It would be fun to make the photos related to different holidays too as they come around. I also had the idea of making a photo table runner out of muslin with a bunch of photo inserts placed down the middle to hold family photos. But that is for another day...


Thanks for visiting! Make sure you come back tomorrow because Lemon Tree Creations is hosting our first ever GIVEAWAY! How fun is that? I am so excited.

Also, go visit these parties and check out some amazing creations by bloggers everywhere!

Happy Tuesday!


31 comments:

Karen The Graphics Fairy June 1, 2010 at 6:26 AM  

What a clever idea, and such a simple elegant look too!

Pati @ A Crafty Escape June 1, 2010 at 6:56 AM  

Love how these look!

Jessica June 1, 2010 at 7:21 AM  

These are adorable! I love the idea!

Matt Heinbaugh June 1, 2010 at 8:04 AM  

Okay, Tiffany, I am not necessarily a crafty person, but you have me hooked on this website. Anyway, what a clever idea. The placemats look very sweet.- Julie

OhioFamOf4 June 1, 2010 at 8:17 AM  

You should seriously sell those. Imagine all the creative possibilities.

Tiff June 1, 2010 at 8:30 AM  

SUPER cute idea!!

Erin A June 1, 2010 at 8:59 AM  

This is adorable!! They look wonderful! Love the flower addition and all of the photos you chose, they're perfect!

Kari June 1, 2010 at 9:47 AM  

What a great idea! I love how you made them black and white! THanks for sharing!

carissa June 1, 2010 at 10:13 AM  

lovely, indeed! i'm lovin' your blog! so glad i found it... "adventures of a crazy lady" did a feature on you so i hopped on over! you have fantastic ideas. i'm following for sure!

Anonymous June 1, 2010 at 10:25 AM  

Very cute, Tiffany. I have one question: did you prewash the muslin? If you didn't and you need to wash them, there might be major shrinkage and your photos won't fit so nicely. It's a bother to take the time to do this, but it saves a lot of frustration later. Sew long...Aunt Rachel

Kim June 1, 2010 at 6:10 PM  

Such a cute idea! I think they'd be great for a bridal shower, birthday party, whatever.

The Polka Dot Closet June 1, 2010 at 6:27 PM  

I think it is wonderful! Like Kim said how great a party, or anniversary party!

Carol

Patrice June 1, 2010 at 8:39 PM  

These are so cute. I love the idea, how original!

The Autocrat: Haley June 1, 2010 at 9:21 PM  

Super fabulous idea! They turned out really nice!

Prior June 1, 2010 at 10:17 PM  

I love, love , love those! Lezlee

Joy Beadworks June 2, 2010 at 7:12 AM  

So Fun! I love these! I'm your 700th follower!

One Cheap B*tch June 2, 2010 at 9:29 AM  

Soooooo cute! My mom a.k.a. grandma would just love something like this!

Jeanine

Carol, The Answer Is Chocolate June 2, 2010 at 9:32 AM  

These would make such great gifts too! Brilliant.

Wendy June 2, 2010 at 2:26 PM  

This is Pure Brilliance!

Kelly Carr June 2, 2010 at 5:52 PM  

WOW! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this idea. You ladies are doing a lovely job on this blog!

Hugs,
Kelly Carr

Jane June 3, 2010 at 9:23 PM  

So sweet and chic at the same time!

Helena June 3, 2010 at 9:58 PM  

Great idea! What an awesome way to personalize a placemat. And they turned out wonderfully (of course).

Becca Ross June 4, 2010 at 8:36 AM  

What a fabulous project! Simple and personalized is perfect. Thanks for linking up to Home and Family Friday!

Becca

Melanie Beth June 4, 2010 at 12:37 PM  

ok how cute are these! i love this idea!

Melanie Beth June 4, 2010 at 12:37 PM  

ok how cute are these! i love this idea!

Fawnda@Fireflies and Jellybeans June 6, 2010 at 8:11 AM  

This is an AWESOME idea! I love it!

I featured you here:
http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/2010/06/sunday-postlight-soys-30-favorites.html

Sheri@childmade.com June 7, 2010 at 2:28 PM  

Wouldn't that be perfect for highlighting a special occasion? Like someone's birthday or father's day? Thanks for sharing ... I've posted a link.

Amy June 9, 2010 at 9:31 AM  

Are you taking orders?! For real--these are awesome!!!! I really need to learn how to sew...

Brittney July 22, 2010 at 3:12 PM  

Beautiful! I am washing some muslin right now to make these for my father-in-law's birthday. I will let you know how they turn out!

Thanks!

Brittney October 27, 2010 at 5:56 PM  

I am working on making these right now! They are beautiful! What kind of batting did you use? Thanks!

Tiffany November 2, 2010 at 6:33 AM  

Hi Brittney. I am so sorry it took me this long to get back with you!

Thanks for your sweet comment on the photo placemats. They are a lot of fun! So glad you are making these and I hope you will share them with us when you are done!

I just used a simple quilt batting. I don't actually remember the brand. It was just a roll of thin batting bought at Hobby Lobby for cheap.

Hope this helps! : )

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